Canadian defensive lineman Mathieu Betts has gone through NFL waivers unclaimed following his release from the Detroit Lions. He is a free agent on both sides of the border and is evaluating his options.
The 29-year-old produced two solo tackles and one sack over three NFL preseason games with the Lions. He worked out for the team on Dec. 19 and signed in February. The Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills also brought him in for a visit last winter.
Betts had the best year of his career in 2023 with the B.C. Lions when he made 42 defensive tackles, 18 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He broke Brett Johnson’s CFL record for single-season sacks by a Canadian player and was named the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
The Montreal, Que. native won two Vanier Cups while at Laval University and earned the J.P. Metras Trophy for three consecutive years as the best lineman in U Sports, becoming the first player ever to accomplish that feat.
After attending the East-West Shrine Bowl in January 2019, five NFL teams — the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers — travelled to Quebec City for his pro day on March 11, 2019.
The six-foot-three, 250-pound defensive lineman signed with the Chicago Bears in April 2019 as an undrafted free agent but he was released by the team at the end of training camp. He was selected in the first round, third overall by the Edmonton Elks during the 2019 CFL Draft.
Through 55 CFL games, Betts has made 81 tackles, 27 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four special teams tackles.
